Another win for gamblers

The Washington Commanders are ready to join the world of sports betting after receiving a license for their home FedEx Field.

ESPN gambling analyst David Payne Purdum reported Wednesday that the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Commission had waved Washington into legal operations. 

The Commanders will now be able to offer high-stakes extravaganzas for fans even before the ball has been snapped.

Betting at Washington Commanders games

Fans will be allowed to bet on or against the home team once the sportsbook opens, according to Purdum. One might think more bets will go against them than will be for, as Washington has finished under .500 in five straight seasons.

it will not be ready by the season opener on September 8

Despite Maryland’s recent license allocation, however, the future of online sports gambling remains murky. Governor Larry Hogan has done his best to settle the issue before the NFL season starts, but it looks like bettors will have to wait for 2023 to see any legal changes. The best-case scenario is for the online market to launch near the end of the year, as it will not be ready by the season opener on September 8.

According to iGaming NEXT sports betting contributor Ryan Butler, the upcoming Super Bowl seems to be the target date.

History and projections

Washington’s entrance into the world of sports gambling follows the precedent laid by other local teams. D.C. United recently became the first MLS team to open an in-stadium sportsbook with the help of FanDuel.

The ball has been rolling since a 2018 Supreme Court decision reversed PASPA, allowing states to make their own decision on the legalization of sports betting. Now, yet another professional team is bridging the gap between sports and entertainment.

According to the Washington Post, the NFL entered 2021 expecting to make $270m in revenue from gambling operations and deals. The league is also projecting over $1bn in total value by the end of the decade.